Welcome to the Porters CA Blog.

Please enjoy our regular blog of relevant business, taxation and financial information. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Twitter.

A quick guide to Simplified Small Business Accounting

A quick guide to Simplified Small Business Accounting If you run a small business,simplify your accounting system and instead and concentrate on actionable metrics. This is especially true if you are the only one managing your business. Below are some of the ways you can streamline your small business accounting system: Track your inventory using dedicated inventory management software. Online inventory management software and point of sale systems allow you…  Read more

Grow Your Family Business While Preserving Family Relationships

Family business owners often share a similar goal – to grow the business and pass it on to the next generation. While keeping the business in the family and getting to work with your parents, siblings, or children can be rewarding, managing and growing a family-owned business isn’t without its challenges. Conflicting views on business and family matters such as succession of power, rivalry, favoritism, and disposition of assets often…  Read more

Federal Budget 2020: What it means for you

The Federal Budget was released on Tuesday 6th October. We have summarised what we feel is most relevant information for clients of Porters CA. If you would like to read more about the “Winners and Losers” of the Australian Federal Budget for 2020 click here. Key Points: Tax cuts for workers – more money in pockets for more Australians. JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme – businesses supported for hiring employees aged…  Read more

Preparing for the end of JobKeeper

Since the government announced the $70-billion JobKeeper program to support businesses and their employees, many businesses have relied on the scheme to stay afloat. Others have been grateful for the cash boost that made the way for smoother sailing. Phase one of Jobkeeper comes to an end on 28 September and not all businesses are eligible for the next relief package. According to a recent survey by the Australian Institute…  Read more

Adapting your business is just good business.

Tips to Adapt Your Small Business During the Pandemic As COVID-19 continues to impact the way businesses operate and consumers shop, many small businesses may struggle to stay afloat, let alone thrive. Below are some of the simple, yet effective, ways on how you can build a stronger brand, earn more sales, and survive in these uncertain times. Showcase locally-made products Now, more than ever, consumers want to buy from…  Read more

Cloud Accounting – better business

Technology is a tool and a means to an end. How does it help you? make your business run better make your life easier give you control information at your fingertips access to real time support from our team option for our bookkeepers to do it all for you We are here to help. What is cloud accounting? Accounting moves from your desktop computer to your fingertips. Cloud accounting software…  Read more

Business Update – August 2020

Our August update is designed to keep you informed of the latest options available to business in response to Covid. Cashflow Boost Estimator Employers who are eligible to receive cashflow boosts can calculate the credits they may receive using the FREE cashflow boost estimator which you can download here. Those who received an initial round of cashflow boost will be eligible for a second round of assistance when they lodge…  Read more

Do you have more questions this tax time?

What a year! We don’t need to tell you that this year has been “unprecedented”. With so many stimulus packages, support programs, tax changes and business shutdowns this financial year is set to be like we’ve never seen before. Oddly enough, amongst all the upheaval, rarely have we felt so enthusiastic about the opportunities for people and businesses who are open to new ideas and who are looking for guidance…  Read more

Surviving and Thriving in a Recession

The pains caused by a recession can be brutal and most of us dread the thought. A recession can mean massive layoffs, fewer jobs and wages frozen, which means consumers spend less and in turn worsening the economic slowdown. If we look at the effects of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008, between December 2008 and December 2010, about 1.8 million small businesses closed. According to Investopedia one decade…  Read more

Tax tips for business owners

Seamless bookkeeping and accounting You want to avoid paying more than you should come tax time. Part of that is ensuring you have well organised and recorded financial records. When tax time comes around, are you ready or scrambling last minute for missing financial records? Business owners have a lot on their plate and can easily lose track of an approaching tax deadline or financial data needed to submit returns.…  Read more

How to build a cash war chest when money is tight

Your “war chest” is the financial reserve your business has built up. Your war chest helps you take advantage of opportunities or cover unexpected costs or emergencies such as the current Covid pandemic. Building a cash reserve when finances are tight, however, can be difficult. You need money to continue running your business while attempting to keep your reserve account healthy. To begin you should download a cashflow scenario planner…  Read more

Volatile markets – Don’t Panic

A market update from joint venture partner Knight Financial Advisors To say it has been a volatile month in markets would be an understatement. From their recent highs to recent lows US shares have fallen 13%, Eurozone shares have lost 16%, Japanese shares have fallen 14% and Australian shares have lost 13%. Emergency central bank intervention saw bond yields plunge to new record lows in the US and Australia. Commodity…  Read more

Cash flow – Where does the money go?!

Join the small business train. You’re working all hours, making sales, invoicing clients but it seems that all of us ask the same question, “Where does all the money go?” When you own a small business, it’s vital you understand how money flows into and out. At a basic level, you need to know where your income comes from and what your expenses are. At a deeper level, knowing how…  Read more

Is DIY bookkeeping holding you back?

Small business owners can enjoy diversity and job satisfaction by being involved in all aspects of their business. Involvement in all areas of your business allows you to use a variety of skills which challenge you and keep work interesting. Very few operators however, enjoy doing the books. Many business owners do their own bookkeeping under the assumption they will save money. Time spent on the books is less time delivering…  Read more

Superannuation payments – Pay on time, every time, no excuses!

With the implementation of single touch payroll, the ATO has real time data of wages paid, super due and receipts by super funds. This means now more than ever Superannuation must be paid on time. We’ve helped many small businesses implement systems to embrace single touch payroll by moving to cloud accounting with Xero or MYOB and gaining the additional benefits of time, knowledge and control of their business. We see…  Read more

A Worthy Cause

As part of our pledge to leave a legacy. Porters Director Simon Terry completed the MACA Cancer 200 ride last weekend raising $5364 for Cancer research. Simon attained a position on the honour roll whereby individual entrants committed to raising more than $4000 for Harry Perkins institute instead of the minimum required entry of $2500 funds raised. We are so grateful to all who donated and helped Simon reach his…  Read more

Locked in a Commercial Lease.

Advice from the desk of Simon Terry I have been helping clients recently with commercial leases they can’t afford, in premises they don’t need, for leases we didn’t discuss, locked in place by personal guarantees. So I have put together 10 tips of dos and don’ts: 1. Personal guarantees – don’t do it.  Accountants create business structures to minimise personal risk so don’t undo our hard work. 2. How well…  Read more

Succession planning – Is Your Will Up To Date?

No one wants to contemplate death, which makes writing or updating a will an unpleasant experience. Having an updated will is vital to ensure your wishes are followed after you die. It makes the process of sorting through your finances less stressful for your family and can prevent disagreements when settling your estate. Your will is a way of dictating who will arrange and settle your estate and how you…  Read more

What is financial planning?

To many people, financial planning sounds like something for the very rich. The wealthiest people take their piles of money to someone who tells them where to invest it so they can make even more money. The rest of us just focus on saving what we can while paying off debt and hoping we don’t lose our jobs before we’re financially stable. In fact, financial planning is about having long-term…  Read more

Delivering value – should you bill by the hour or offer fixed rate packages?

Knowing how to price your services can be a real struggle. Charging an hourly rate can feel less scary than quoting a fixed rate package because you have confidence you’ll be compensated for every hour you spend on a project. But there are drawbacks to trading time for money – not the least of which is that it limits your earning potential. Charging by the hour can also lead to…  Read more

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